Media broadcast emulator

ABSTRACT

Media broadcast emulator. A media processing device is operative to create a live program type experience for a user. Various types of media are combined to emulate a live media broadcast. Different portions of various media types (e.g., real-time media, stored media, etc.) may be combined to generate a program that emulates a live program. First media can be analyzed to identify characteristics thereof (e.g., meta data associated therewith: (1) music media: song title, rating, artist name, album name, year, track number, genre, author, publisher, etc., (2) disk jockey/talk radio commentary media: speaker, date of first broadcast, station affiliate, broadcast locale, etc.). Based on these identified characteristics, second media related to the first media may be combined with the first media to generate an emulation of a live media broadcast. Alternatively, it is noted that any desired playlist may also be constructed by combining user-selected and/or related media as well.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS/PATENT APPLICATIONS ProvisionalPriority Claims

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the following U.S. Provisional patent applicationswhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety andmade part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for allpurposes:

1. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/218,039, entitled “Replacingfirst sourced media with second sourced media based on first sourcedmedia quality,” (Attorney Docket No. BP20030), filed Jun. 17, 2009,pending.

2. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/218,045, entitled “Mediabroadcast emulator,” (Attorney Docket No. BP20030.1), filed Jun. 17,2009, pending.

Incorporation by Reference

The following U.S. Utility patent application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and is made part of the present U.S.Utility patent application for all purposes:

1. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/______, entitled “Replacingfirst sourced media with second sourced media based on first sourcedmedia quality,” (Attorney Docket No. BP20030), filed concurrently on,pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to devices operable to output media;and, more particularly, it relates to management and processing of mediato generate a playlist or program such as that may emulate a live mediabroadcast.

2. Description of Related Art

The amount of media available for user consumption and enjoymentcontinues to grow a staggering rate. There seems to be an insatiablemarket for providing news, media, and information to users. Userscontinually seek such information via a variety of avenues.

There are a variety of devices available for a user to enjoy mediatoday. However, even with this availability of such devices, there stilldoes not exist an adequate means in the art by which media may bemanaged and controlled by a user for enjoyment in accordance with anumber of possible user preferences. While there continues to bedevelopment in the art to try to meet these desires, there aresignificant limitations to the flexibility by which a user may selectand tailor output media in accordance with a user's preference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theSeveral Views of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of theInvention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a computer.

FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a laptop computer.

FIG. 1C illustrates an embodiment of a high definition (HD) television.

FIG. 1D illustrates an embodiment of a standard definition (SD)television.

FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of a handheld media unit.

FIG. 1F illustrates an embodiment of a set top box (STB).

FIG. 1G illustrates an embodiment of a digital video disc (DVD) player.

FIG. 1H illustrates an embodiment of a generic media processing device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus that is operative tocombine first media and second media thereby generating third mediabased on characteristics thereof or user-selected criteria.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus that is operative tocombine broadcast media and stored media thereby generating outputmedia.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus that is operative tocombine media that is selected from one or more of a number of mediasources.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of combination of broadcast media andstored media thereby generating output media.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of combination of broadcastmedia and stored media thereby generating output media.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of combination ofbroadcast media and stored media thereby generating output media.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of output media generated based upon aplaylist retrieved via a network segment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of various characteristics that may beassociated with various types of media.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B illustratealternative embodiments of methods for outputting media, selected fromat least two media sources, based on quality thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A novel means is presented herein by which a media may be generated toemulate a media broadcast. The media referred to herein may be aplurality of media that undergo combination to generate output media.The media being combined may be individual media (e.g., individualsongs, individual video clips, individual photos, etc.), or the mediamay alternatively be sequences or streams of media (e.g., a sequence orstream of songs, individual video clips, individual photos, etc.). Aftertwo or more media undergo combination, the generated or combined mediamay be viewed as a sequence or stream or media composed of media fromone or more media sources. In other words, the generated or combinedmedia may itself be viewed as being a sequence or stream of mediagenerated by as few as two individual media or as being a sequence orstream of media generated by one or more media sequences or streams (orby selected individual media within one or more media sequences orstreams).

For example, in one embodiment, a first media (e.g., a first individualmedia or media clip) and a second media (e.g., a second individual mediaor media clip) are combined to generated a third media (e.g., a sequencegenerated by the first individual media or media clip followed by thesecond individual media or media clip, or vice versa). In anotherembodiment, a first media (e.g., a first media sequence composed ofindividual media or media clips) and a second media (e.g., a secondmedia sequence composed of individual media or media clips) are combinedto generated a third media (e.g., a third media sequence composed of theindividual media or media clips from each of the first media sequenceand the second media sequence that undergo combination in a givenmanner).

The selection parameters by which the various media is combined togenerate a media that is emulative of a media broadcast may be userdefined. Various types of media may be combined to generate such anemulated media broadcast, and even some ‘live’ or very recently receivedbroadcast media may be included within the emulated media broadcast.Certain types of media that may included within the emulated mediabroadcast includes music media, news media, weather forecast media, diskjockey (DJ) commentary, talk radio commentary, etc.

Generally speaking, a live broadcast experience, via an emulated mediabroadcast, is generated for consumption and enjoyment by a user.Selective combination of first media from a first media source andsecond media from a second media source (e.g., by interleaving, placingadjacent to one another, etc.) generates the emulated media broadcast.

There are a variety of types of devices that are operative to performthe management of supplemental content associated with such media toeffectuate an improved user experience. Some examples of such devicesare described below.

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a computer 101. The computer 101can be a desktop computer, or an enterprise storage devices such aserver, of a host computer that is attached to a storage array such as aredundant array of independent disks (RAID) array, storage router, edgerouter, storage switch and/or storage director. A user is able to viewstill digital images or video (e.g., a sequence of digital images) usingthe computer 101. Oftentimes, various image viewing capabilities and/ormedia player capabilities are included on a computer 101 to allow a userto view such images (including video). Also, certain embodiments of sucha computer 101 can include one or more audio output devices (e.g.,speakers either coupled to the computer 101 or integrated within thecomputer 101) to allow the outputting of audio content as well.

FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a laptop computer 102. Such alaptop computer 102 may be found and used in any of a wide variety ofcontexts. In recent years, with the ever-increasing processingcapability and functionality found within laptop computers, they arebeing employed in many instances where previously higher-end and morecapable desktop computers would be used. As with the computer 101, thelaptop computer 102 may include various image viewing capabilitiesand/or media player capabilities to allow a user to view such images(including video). The laptop computer 102 may also include or becoupled to one or more audio output devices (e.g., speakers).

FIG. 1C illustrates an embodiment of a high definition (HD) television103. Many HD televisions 103 include an integrated tuner to allow thereceipt, processing, and decoding of media content (e.g., televisionbroadcast signals) thereon. Alternatively, sometimes an HD television103 receives media content from another source such as a digital videodisc (DVD) player, set top box (STB) that receives, processes, anddecodes a cable and/or satellite television broadcast signal (oralternatively, an over the air broadcast signal). Regardless of theparticular implementation, the HD television 103 may be implemented toperform media processing as described herein. Generally speaking, an HDtelevision 103 has capability to display HD media content and oftentimesis implemented having a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Clearly, otheraspect ratios other than merely 16:9 may be implemented within such anHD television 103. Such an HD television 103 typically will includeintegrated speakers. Also, such a HD television 103 may be implementedcooperatively with an external sound system that outputs audio content.

FIG. 1D illustrates an embodiment of a standard definition (SD)television 104. Of course, an SD television 104 is somewhat analogous toan HD television 103, with at least one difference being that the SDtelevision 104 does not include capability to display HD media content,and an SD television 104 oftentimes is implemented having a 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio. Nonetheless, even an SD television 104 may beimplemented to perform media processing as described herein. Asmentioned above with respect to another television type, such an SDtelevision 104 typically will include integrated speakers. Also, such aSD television 104 may be implemented cooperatively with an externalsound system that outputs audio content.

FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of a handheld media unit 105. Ahandheld media unit 105 may operate to provide general storage orstorage of image/video content information such as joint photographicexperts group (JPEG) files, tagged image file format (TIFF), bitmap,motion picture experts group (MPEG) files, Windows Media Architecture(WMA) files, other types of video content such as MPEG4 files, etc. forplayback to a user, and/or any other type of information that may bestored in a digital format. Historically, such handheld media units wereprimarily employed for storage and playback of audio media; however,such a handheld media unit 105 may be employed for storage and playbackof virtual any media (e.g., audio media, video media, photographicmedia, etc.). Moreover, such a handheld media unit 105 may also includeother functionality such as integrated communication circuitry for wiredand wireless communications. Such a handheld media unit 105 may beimplemented to perform media processing as described herein.

FIG. 1F illustrates an embodiment of a set top box (STB) 106. Asmentioned above, sometimes a STB 106 may be implemented to receive,process, and decode a cable and/or satellite television broadcast signalto be provided to any appropriate display capable device such as SDtelevision 104 and/or HD television 103. Such an STB 106 may operateindependently or cooperatively with such a display capable device toperform media processing as described herein.

FIG. 1G illustrates an embodiment of a digital video disc (DVD) player107. Such a DVD player may be any one of a Blu-Ray DVD player, an HDcapable DVD player, an SD capable DVD player, and an up-sampling capableDVD player (e.g., from SD to HD, etc.) without departing from the scopeand spirit of the invention. The DVD player may provide a signal to anyappropriate display capable device such as SD television 104 and/or HDtelevision 103. The DVD player 105 may be implemented to perform mediaprocessing as described herein.

FIG. 1H illustrates an embodiment of a generic media processing device108. Again, as mentioned above, these various devices described above donot include an exhaustive list of devices in which the media processingdescribed herein may be effectuated, and it is noted that any genericdigital media processing device 108 may be implemented to perform themedia processing described herein without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention.

It is noted that any of a wide variety of media capable devices mayincorporate various aspects of the invention presented herein. Whilemany such devices are described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1H, thesediagrams do not constitute an exhaustive list of such media capabledevices, and any media capable device (e.g., including portable devices,multi-functional devices [such as a combined phone/media capabledevice], a media capable device implemented within a vehicle, etc.) maybe implemented in accordance with the various aspects of the inventionpresented herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 200 that is operativeto combine first media and second media thereby generating third mediabased on characteristics thereof or user-selected criteria. Theapparatus 200 includes a media playback circuitry 210 that is operativeto output any one of various types of media (e.g., audio media, videomedia, pictorial media, etc.). The apparatus 200 also includes a mediamanagement circuitry 220 that is operative to analyze first mediaprovided from a first media source to identify first characteristicsassociated with the first media. Based on the first characteristicsassociated with the first media and based on second characteristicsassociated with second media provided from a second media source, themedia management circuitry 220 is operative to combine the first mediawith the second media thereby generating third media. Then, the mediaplayback circuitry 210 is operative to output the third media.

In one embodiment, the third media is a combination of the first mediaand the second media that is generated based on the associatedcharacteristics of the first media and the second media. Thecharacteristics associated with media may be of any of a variety oftypes including the meta data that is often associated with media (e.g.,in the digital context). For example, meta data associated with musicmedia may include: song title, rating, artist name, album name, year,track number, genre, author, publisher, etc. Meta data associated withdisk jockey/talk radio commentary media may include: speaker, date offirst broadcast, station affiliate, broadcast locale, etc. Other typesof characteristics associated with media may alternatively include: thelanguage spoken or sung within media, the existence or absence of lyricswithin media, the reference of an artist or author within media composedof the spoken commentary, the source provider of such media, thecommunication medium by which the media has been delivered, etc.

When characteristics of the first media are found to be associated withcharacteristics of the second media, then the media may be combined togenerate output media (e.g., third media). Stated another way, based onthe first characteristics associated with the first media and based onsecond characteristics associated with second media, the mediamanagement circuitry 220 is operative to combine the first media withthe second media thereby generating third media.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 300 that is operativeto combine broadcast media and stored media thereby generating outputmedia. This diagram shows media management circuitry 320 that isoperative to receive first media that is provided from a broadcastsource (e.g., via a broadcast reception circuitry 330) and second mediathat is retrieved from a media storage circuitry 340. The broadcastsource may be any one of a variety of broadcast sources such as radio[such as AM or FM], satellite [such as XM radio, Sirius, or some otherservice provider], streaming over the Internet, downloaded from theInternet, via some other wireless communication link [such as aBluetooth supported communication link, a communication link within awireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi)], etc.). The second media sourceis a stored media source which is shown as a media storage circuitry 340(e.g., a memory device such a hard disk drive (HDD), a read-only memory(RAM), random access memory (ROM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information). Referring to the diagram, the broadcastmedia is received via a broadcast reception circuitry 330, and thestored media is retrieved via a media storage circuitry 340.

The apparatus 300 includes a media playback circuitry 310 that isoperative to output any one of various types of media (e.g., audiomedia, video media, pictorial media, etc.) that may be provided from thebroadcast reception circuitry 330 and the media storage circuitry 340.The apparatus 300 also includes a media management circuitry 320 that isoperative to analyze first media provided from a first media source toidentify first characteristics associated with the first media. Based onthe first characteristics associated with the first media and based onsecond characteristics associated with second media provided from asecond media source, the media management circuitry 320 is operative tocombine the first media with the second media thereby generating thirdmedia. Then, the media playback circuitry 310 is operative to output thethird media.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 400 that is operativeto combine media that is selected from one or more of a number of mediasources. A broadcast reception circuitry 430 is operative to receive thebroadcast media provided from at least one of a plurality of broadcastmedia sources, and a media playback circuitry 410 is operative to outputfirst media provided from one of the plurality of broadcast mediasources. Based on the first characteristics associated with the firstmedia and based on second characteristics associated with second mediaprovided from a second media source, the media management circuitry 420is operative to combine the first media with the second media therebygenerating third media. Then, the media playback circuitry 410 isoperative to output the third media.

A search circuitry 450, coupled to the media management circuitry 450,is operative to access at least one database 460 (which may include alocal database 460 a and/or a remote database 460 b) that may includemedia, ratings of media, a user-interactive forum to allow for updatingof ratings, comments, etc. The database 460 may be accessed via anetwork segment 499 (e.g., an intranet connection, an Internetconnection, a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi), etc.). Inaddition, the broadcast reception circuitry 430 may receive streamingmedia (or media that is downloaded) via the network segment 499.

A user interface 490 is operative to receive user input. This userinterface 490 may include a means by which user input may be received sothat a user may toggle between live media (e.g., received from thebroadcast reception circuitry 430) and an emulated media broadcast.Also, the user interface 490 may include a means by which user input maybe received to rank or rate the currently playing media (e.g., rankingof a song currently being played, ranking of DJ commentary currentlybeing played, etc.); another type of input may also include a means bywhich the currently playing media may be added to a favorites list orother preferred playlist.

In some embodiments, the user interface 490 is operative to receive userinput corresponding to a first user rating of the first media while thefirst media is being output by the media playback circuitry 410 or asecond user rating of the second media while the second media is beingoutput by the media playback circuitry 410. The media managementcircuitry 420 may include a memory circuitry that is operative to storeat least one of the first user rating and the second user rating.

The media playback circuitry 410 may itself include an integrateddisplay to display video or pictorial media and integrated speakers tooutput audio media (or the audio component of video or pictorial media).Alternatively, media that is output from the media playback circuitry410 may be coupled to an external video display 401 to display video orpictorial media and/or an audio output circuitry 402 to output audiomedia (or the audio component of video or pictorial media).

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment 500 of combination of broadcast mediaand stored media thereby generating output media. Portions of broadcastmedia may be received via a broadcast reception circuitry 530 (e.g.,shown as part 1 through part n in this diagram) are combined with storedmedia (e.g., shown as including part a, part b, part c, part d, and upto part m in this diagram) retrieved from media storage device 540 asshown within media management circuitry 520.

There are various embodiments by which the broadcast media and thestored media may be combined to generate third media are shown in thebottom half of the diagram. A buffered delay may the initial componentof the third media. A part 1 of the broadcast media is followed by part1 of the stored media, which is followed by part 3 of the broadcastmedia, which is followed by part 4 of the broadcast media, which isfollowed by part 4 of the stored media, and so on.

In an alternative embodiment, while a buffer is used to collect thebroadcast media, playback may be initiated immediately using a portionof the stored media. For example, in this alternative embodiment, a part1 of the stored media is the initial component of the third media, whichis followed by part 1 of the broadcast media, which is followed by part1 of the stored media, which is followed by part 3 of the broadcastmedia, which is followed by part 4 of the broadcast media, and so on.There are a wide variety of means by which broadcast media and storedmedia may be combined to generate output media (third media).

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment 600 of combination ofbroadcast media and stored media thereby generating output media. Inthis diagram, portions of broadcast media which may be received via abroadcast reception circuitry 630 (e.g., shown as song a, followed bydisk jockey (DJ) commentary a, followed by song b, followed by DJcommentary b, followed by song c, etc.) are combined with stored media(e.g., shown as including DJ commentary 1, DJ commentary 2, DJcommentary 3, DJ commentary 4, and up to DJ commentary m, song 1, song2, song 3, song 4, and up to song n in this diagram) retrieved frommedia storage device 640 as shown within media management circuitry 620.

There are various embodiments by which the broadcast media and thestored media may be combined to generate third media are shown in thebottom half of the diagram. As also shown within another embodimentdescribed herein, a buffered delay may the initial component of thethird media. One possible embodiment of includes song a (from thebroadcast media source), which is followed by DJ commentary 1 (from themedia storage device 640), which is followed by song b (from thebroadcast media source), which is followed by song 1 (from the mediastorage device 640), which is followed by song c (from the broadcastmedia source), and so on.

In an alternative embodiment, while a buffer is used to collect thebroadcast media, playback may be initiated immediately using a portionof the stored media. For example, in this alternative embodiment, a song1 (from the media storage device 640), which is followed by DJcommentary 1 (from the media storage device 640), which is followed bysong a (from the broadcast media source), which is followed by DJcommentary a (from the broadcast media source), which is followed by DJcommentary 3 (from the media storage device 640), and so on. There are awide variety of means by which broadcast media and stored media may becombined to generate output media (third media).

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment 700 of combinationof broadcast media and stored media thereby generating output media. Inthis diagram, portions of broadcast media may be received via abroadcast reception circuitry 730 (e.g., shown as song a, followed bydisk jockey (DJ) commentary a, followed by song b, followed by DJcommentary b, followed by song c, etc.) are combined with stored media(e.g., shown as including DJ commentary 1, DJ commentary 2, DJcommentary 3, DJ commentary 4, and up to DJ commentary m, song 1, song2, song 3, song 4, and up to song n in this diagram) retrieved frommedia storage device 740 as shown within media management circuitry 720.

This diagram shows other embodiments by which broadcast media may becombined with stored media to generate output media (third media) thateventually gets output via a media playback circuitry.

Again, as also shown within at least one additional embodiment describedherein, a buffered delay may the initial component of the third media.One possible embodiment of includes song 1 (from the media storagedevice 740), which is followed by song 4 (from the media storage device740), which is followed by DJ commentary a (from the broadcast mediasource), which is followed by song 3 (from the media storage device740), which is followed by song n (from the media storage device 740),and so on.

In an alternative embodiment, while a buffer is used to collect thebroadcast media, playback may be initiated immediately using a portionof the stored media. For example, in this alternative embodiment, a song1 (from the media storage device 740), which is followed by DJcommentary 3 (from the media storage device 740), which is followed bysong 4 (from the media storage device 740), which is followed by DJcommentary a (from the broadcast media source), which is followed by DJcommentary 1 (from the media storage device 740), and so on. Again,there are a wide variety of means by which broadcast media and storedmedia may be combined to generate output media (third media).

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment 800 of output media generated basedupon a playlist retrieved via a network segment. This diagram shows howa playlist (e.g., shown as including song 1, song x, song y, song 4,song n, and up to song z). A search circuitry 850 is operative toretrieve the playlist via a network segment 899. The network segment 899may be the Internet, in one embodiment, and the playlist may beretrieved from a database that is accessed via the Internet. Theplaylist may be selected based upon user-defined parameters (e.g.,preferred genre, preferred artist, preferred time period [for music,such as 70s, 80s, 90s, etc.], preferred language, preferred mediacontent provider, etc.). The media storage device 840 includes includingDJ commentary 1, DJ commentary 2, DJ commentary 3, DJ commentary 4, andup to DJ commentary m, song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, and up to song nin this diagram.

A media management circuitry 820 receives the playlist from the searchcircuitry 850. Based on a comparison of the playlist with media includedwithin a media storage device 840, the media management circuitry 820generates a media that includes stored media that is included within theplaylist.

For example, if music only media is desirable, output media includingsong 1, song 4, song n, and so on could be constructed. Alternatively,if a combined music and DJ commentary media is desirable, output mediaincluding DJ commentary 1, song 1, DJ commentary m, song n, song 4, andso on could be constructed.

In even other embodiments, media identified within the playlist that isor are not already included within the media storage device 840 may beretrieved and downloaded from the network segment 899 to complete amedia that includes all media identified within the playlist.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment 900 of various characteristics that maybe associated with various types of media. This diagram shows differenttypes of media and how characteristics of each may have at least somecommonality. For example, this diagram shows music media 1, music media2, and DJ commentary. Each of the music media 1 and music media 2includes characteristics associated therewith. For example, onecharacteristic associated with music media 1 includes meta data of musicmedia 1 which may include information corresponding to the artist a,song title b, album title c, genre d, date e, etc. Anothercharacteristic associated with music media 1 indicates the absence oflyrics within the music media 1. Any other characteristic may also beassociated with music media 1 (e.g., shown as other 1).

For example, considering the music media 2, one characteristicassociated with music media 2 includes meta data of music media 2 whichmay include information corresponding to the artist f, song title g,album title h, genre i, date j, etc. Another characteristic associatedwith music media 2 indicates the existence of lyrics within the musicmedia 2. Yet another characteristic associated with music media 2indicates the language of the lyrics sung within the music media 2. Anyother characteristic may also be associated with music media 2 (e.g.,shown as other 2).

Considering the DJ commentary media, one characteristic associated withthe DJ commentary media includes a spoken reference related to artist a(associated with music media 1). Another characteristic associated withthe DJ commentary media includes a spoken reference related to songtitle g (associated with music media 2). Even another characteristicassociated with the DJ commentary media includes language 2 (also samelanguage associated with music media 2). Any other characteristic mayalso be associated with DJ commentary media (e.g., shown as other 3).

Certain of the characteristics associated with various types of mediamay also be ascertained by analyzing and processing the media. Forexample, media may be processed to determine if the media is music mediabased on repeated patterns and melodies therein. Alternatively, mediamay be processed to determine if the media includes spoken commentary byperforming spectral analysis thereof to identify spoken content therein.Clearly, one very straight-forwards means of processing media toascertain characteristics associated therewith is to analyze the metadata associated with it. There are also many means by which media may beprocessed to ascertain certain characteristics thereof.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B illustratealternative embodiments of methods for outputting media, selected fromat least two media sources, based on quality thereof.

Referring to method 1000 of FIG. 10A, the method 1000 begins byreceiving first media from a first media source, as shown in a block1010. The method 1000 continues by receiving second media from a secondmedia source, as shown in a block 1020. The method 1000 then operates byanalyzing the first media provided from the first media source toidentify first characteristics associated with the first media, as shownin a block 1030.

The method 1000 continues by based on the first characteristicsassociated with the first media and based on second characteristicsassociated with the second media provided from the second media source,combining the first media with the second media thereby generating thirdmedia, as shown in a block 1040. The method 1001 then operates byemploying a media playback circuitry to output the third media, as shownin a block 1050.

Referring to method 1001 of FIG. 10B, the method 1001 begins byreceiving first media from a first media source, as shown in a block1011. The method 1001 then operates by receiving second media from asecond media source, as shown in a block 1021.

The method 1001 continues by interleaving first media and second mediathereby generating third media, as shown in a block 1031. The method1001 then operates by employing a media playback circuitry to output thethird media, as shown in a block 1041.

Referring to method 1100 of FIG. 11A, the method 1100 begins byreceiving media from media source, as shown in a block 1110. The method1100 continues by employing media playback circuitry to output media, asshown in a block 1120. The method 1100 then operates by during playback,receiving user input to add currently playing media to preferredplaylist, as shown in a block 1130.

Referring to method 1101 of FIG. 11B, the method 1101 begins byreceiving media from media source, as shown in a block 1111. The method1101 then operates by employing media playback circuitry to outputmedia, as shown in a block 1121.

The method 1101 continues by during playback, receiving user inputcorresponding to rating of media, as shown in a block 1131. The method1101 then operates by providing user input to database (e.g., that logsuser ratings of media), as shown in a block 1141.

Referring to method 1200 of FIG. 12A, the method 1200 begins byanalyzing a plurality of stored media to identify a correspondingplurality of characteristics, as shown in a block 1210. The method 1200continues by based on identified, corresponding plurality ofcharacteristics, searching a database to identify a playlist thatfavorable compares therewith, as shown in a block 1220.

The method 1200 then operates by retrieving playlist from database, asshown in a block 1230. The method 1200 continues by employing mediaplayback circuitry to output media identified within retrieved playlist,as shown in a block 1240.

Referring to method 1201 of FIG. 12B, the method 1201 begins byretrieving playlist from database, as shown in a block 1211. The method1201 then operates by identifying stored media listed within retrievedplaylist, as shown in a block 1221. The method 1201 continues byemploying media playback circuitry to output stored media listed withinretrieved playlist, as shown in a block 1231.

Referring to method 1300 of FIG. 13A, the method 1300 begins byreceiving broadcast media from broadcast media source, as shown in ablock 1310. The method 1300 continues by employing media playbackcircuitry to output broadcast media, as shown in a block 1320. Themethod 1300 then operates by during playback of broadcast media,receiving user input to replace currently playing portion of broadcastmedia with stored media, as shown in a block 1330.

The method 1300 continues by during playback of stored media, bufferingbroadcast media, as shown in a block 1340. The method 1400 continues byupon completion of playback of stored media, outputting bufferedbroadcast media (beginning at end of replaced portion of broadcastmedia), as shown in a block 1350.

Referring to method 1301 of FIG. 13B, the method 1301 begins bybuffering broadcast media received from broadcast media source, as shownin a block 1311. The method 1301 then operates by employing mediaplayback circuitry to output first portion of stored media, as shown ina block 1321. The method 1301 continues by employing media playbackcircuitry to output buffered broadcast media, as shown in a block 1331.

Referring to method 1400 of FIG. 14A, the method 1400 begins byreceiving first media having first type (e.g., music), as shown in ablock 1410. The method 1400 continues by receiving second media havingsecond type (e.g., weather forecast), as shown in a block 1420. Themethod 1400 then operates by receiving third media having third type(e.g., DJ commentary), as shown in a block 1430.

The method 1400 continues by combining first media, second media, andthird media thereby generating fourth media, as shown in a block 1440.The method 1400 then operates by employing media playback circuitry tooutput fourth media, as shown in a block 1450.

Referring to method 1401 of FIG. 14B, the method 1401 begins byidentifying user rating and characteristic associated with mediacurrently being output using media playback circuitry, as shown in ablock 1411. The method 1401 then operates by based on identified userrating and characteristic, searching a database to identify at least oneadditional media having characteristic that compares favorablytherewith, as shown in a block 1421.

The method 1401 continues by retrieving the at least one additionalmedia from the database, as shown in a block 1431. The method 1401 thenoperates by employing media playback circuitry to output the at leastone additional media, as shown in a block 1441.

It is noted that the various circuitries and/or modules (e.g., mediamanagement circuitries, media playback circuitries, broadcast receptioncircuitries, media storage circuitries, etc.) described herein may be asingle processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The operational instructions may be stored in a memory.The memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory (ROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. It is also noted that when the processing moduleimplements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storingthe corresponding operational instructions is embedded with thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. In such an embodiment, a memorystores, and a processing module coupled thereto executes, operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated and/or described herein.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention.

One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functionalbuilding blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and componentsherein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components,application specific integrated circuits, processors executingappropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a broadcast reception circuitry that isoperative to receive first media from a broadcast media source; a mediastorage circuitry that is operative to store second media; a mediaplayback circuitry; a media management circuitry, coupled to thebroadcast reception circuitry, the media playback circuitry, and to themedia storage circuitry, that is operative to: analyze the first mediaprovided from the broadcast media source to identify firstcharacteristics associated with the first media; based on the firstcharacteristics associated with the first media and based on secondcharacteristics associated with second media provided from the mediastorage circuitry, combine the first media with the second media therebygenerating third media; and wherein: the media playback circuitry isoperative to output the third media.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the first media, upon being received from the broadcast mediasource via the broadcast reception circuitry, is stored within the mediastorage circuitry; further comprising: a search circuitry, coupled tothe media management circuitry, that is operative to search at least oneof a local database and a remote database, based on a plurality ofsearch parameters, to identify a playlist; and wherein: the searchcircuitry is operative to retrieve the playlist from the at least one ofa local database and a remote database; the media management circuitryis operative to: identify portions of the first media and the secondmedia that that are associated within the playlist based on the firstcharacteristics and the first characteristics; and based on theidentified portions of the first media and the second media, modify theplaylist thereby generating a modified playlist that includes only theidentified portions of the first media and the second media that thatare associated within the playlist based on the first characteristicsand the first characteristics; combine the identified portions of thefirst media and the second media, in accordance with the modifiedplaylist, thereby generating fourth media; and the media playbackcircuitry is operative to output the fourth media.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a user interface, coupled to the mediamanagement circuitry and the media playback circuitry, is operative toreceive user input to direct the media playback circuitry to output onlyone of the first media, the second media, and the third media.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a user interface, coupled tothe media management circuitry and the media playback circuitry, isoperative to receive user input while the first media is being outputvia the media playback circuitry or while the second media is beingoutput via the media playback circuitry; and wherein: the mediamanagement circuitry is operative to modify the first characteristics ofthe first media or to modify the second characteristics of the secondmedia based on the user input.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thefirst media is music media; the first characteristics associated withthe first media include at least one of an artist name, a song title, analbum title, and a music genre; the second media is audio commentarymedia; and the second characteristics associated with second mediainclude at least one of the artist name, the song title, the albumtitle, and the music genre.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: themedia management circuitry is operative to process the first media toidentify at least one of a song title and an artist name associated withat least one portion of the first media; and the first characteristicsassociated with the first media include at least one of an identifiedsong title and an identified artist name associated with the at leastone portion of the first media.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the media management circuitry is operative to process the first mediato identify at least one of a song title and an artist name associatedwith at least one portion of the first media; and the firstcharacteristics associated with the first media include at least one ofa first identified song title and a first identified artist nameassociated with a first portion of the first media and at least one of asecond identified song title and a second identified artist nameassociated with a second portion of the first media.
 8. An apparatus,comprising: a media playback circuitry; a media management circuitry,coupled to the media playback circuitry, that is operative to: analyzefirst media provided from a first media source to identify firstcharacteristics associated with the first media; based on the firstcharacteristics associated with the first media and based on secondcharacteristics associated with second media provided from a secondmedia source, combine the first media with the second media therebygenerating third media; and wherein: the media playback circuitry isoperative to output the third media.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,further comprising: a media storage circuitry, coupled to the mediamanagement circuitry, that is operative to store the first media and thesecond media; and wherein: the media storage circuitry is the firstmedia source and the second media source.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,further comprising: a broadcast reception circuitry, coupled to themedia management circuitry, that is operative to receive the first mediafrom a broadcast media source; and a media storage circuitry, coupled tothe media management circuitry, that is operative to store the secondmedia; and wherein: the first media source is the broadcast mediasource; and the second media source is the media storage circuitry. 11.The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a media storage circuitry,coupled to the media management circuitry, that is operative to storethe first media and the second media; a search circuitry, coupled to themedia management circuitry, that is operative to search at least one ofa local database and a remote database, based on a plurality of searchparameters, to identify a playlist; and wherein: the search circuitry isoperative to retrieve the playlist from the at least one of a localdatabase and a remote database; the media management circuitry isoperative to: identify portions of the first media and the second mediathat that are associated within the playlist based on the firstcharacteristics and the first characteristics; and based on theidentified portions of the first media and the second media, modify theplaylist thereby generating a modified playlist that includes only theidentified portions of the first media and the second media that thatare associated within the playlist based on the first characteristicsand the first characteristics; combine the identified portions of thefirst media and the second media, in accordance with the modifiedplaylist, thereby generating fourth media; and the media playbackcircuitry is operative to output the fourth media.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising: a user interface, coupled to the mediamanagement circuitry and the media playback circuitry, is operative toreceive user input to direct the media playback circuitry to output onlyone of the first media, the second media, and the third media.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein: the first media is music media; the firstcharacteristics associated with the first media include at least one ofan artist name, a song title, an album title, and a music genre; thesecond media is audio commentary media; and the second characteristicsassociated with second media include at least one of the artist name,the song title, the album title, and the music genre.
 14. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein: the media management circuitry is operative toprocess the first media to identify at least one of a song title and anartist name associated with at least one portion of the first media; andthe first characteristics associated with the first media include atleast one of an identified song title and an identified artist nameassociated with the at least one portion of the first media.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein: the media management circuitry isoperative to process the first media to identify at least one of a songtitle and an artist name associated with at least one portion of thefirst media; and the first characteristics associated with the firstmedia include at least one of a first identified song title and a firstidentified artist name associated with a first portion of the firstmedia and at least one of a second identified song title and a secondidentified artist name associated with a second portion of the firstmedia.
 16. A method, comprising: receiving first media from a firstmedia source; receiving second media from a second media source;analyzing the first media provided from the first media source toidentify first characteristics associated with the first media; based onthe first characteristics associated with the first media and based onsecond characteristics associated with the second media provided fromthe second media source, combining the first media with the second mediathereby generating third media; and employing a media playback circuitryto output the third media.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: receiving the first media from a media storage circuitry;and receiving the second media from the media storage circuitry.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising: receiving the first media from abroadcast media source; and receiving the second media from a mediastorage circuitry.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:searching at least one of a local database and a remote database, basedon a plurality of search parameters, to identify a playlist; retrievingthe playlist from the at least one of a local database and a remotedatabase; identifying portions of the first media and the second mediathat that are associated within the playlist based on the firstcharacteristics and the first characteristics; based on the identifiedportions of the first media and the second media, modifying the playlistthereby generating a modified playlist that includes only the identifiedportions of the first media and the second media that that areassociated within the playlist based on the first characteristics andthe first characteristics; combining the identified portions of thefirst media and the second media, in accordance with the modifiedplaylist, thereby generating fourth media; and employing the mediaplayback circuitry to output the fourth media.
 20. The method of claim16, further comprising: via a user interface, receiving user input todirect the media playback circuitry to output only one of the firstmedia, the second media, and the third media.
 21. The method of claim16, wherein: the first media is music media; the first characteristicsassociated with the first media include at least one of an artist name,a song title, an album title, and a music genre; the second media isaudio commentary media; and the second characteristics associated withsecond media include at least one of the artist name, the song title,the album title, and the music genre.
 22. The method of claim 16,further comprising: processing the first media to identify at least oneof a song title and an artist name associated with at least one portionof the first media; and wherein: the first characteristics associatedwith the first media include at least one of an identified song titleand an identified artist name associated with the at least one portionof the first media.
 23. The method of claim 16, further comprising:processing the first media to identify at least one of a song title andan artist name associated with at least one portion of the first media;and the first characteristics associated with the first media include atleast one of a first identified song title and a first identified artistname associated with a first portion of the first media and at least oneof a second identified song title and a second identified artist nameassociated with a second portion of the first media.